Bowling Green, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 91% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Bowling Green Safe?
No — crime is noticeably above average
Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for personal safety.
Bowling Green has a crime rate that is 64% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 151.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 151
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
74% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 41
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
32% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Bowling Green Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
171 | +71% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
179 | +79% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
157 | +57% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
177 | +77% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
148 | +48% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
111 | +11% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
142 | +42% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Bowling Green Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Bowling Green Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Bowling Green zip codes.
Bowling Green Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Bowling Green, VA?
Bowling Green, VA has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 64% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 151 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 41 chance for property crime. Bowling Green has higher crime than 91% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Bowling Green, VA safe to live in?
Bowling Green has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Bowling Green is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Bowling Green?
The estimated violent crime rate in Bowling Green is 663.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 74% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 151 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 8.5 per 100K (71% above average); aggravated assault at 479.7 per 100K (79% above average); robbery at 116.1 per 100K (57% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Bowling Green?
The estimated property crime rate in Bowling Green is 2,411.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 32% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 41 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 399.0 per 100K (48% above average); larceny/theft at 1,559.1 per 100K (11% above average); vehicle theft at 453.2 per 100K (42% above average).
How does Bowling Green crime compare to the national average?
Bowling Green's overall crime rate is 64% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (79% above average), while larceny/theft is 11% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Bowling Green has higher crime than 91% of them.
Is Bowling Green safe to visit?
Visitors to Bowling Green should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 32% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Bowling Green crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Bowling Green's crime rate is 64% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Bowling Green?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Bowling Green, with an estimated rate of 1,559.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 11% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,411 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (664 per 100K) in Bowling Green, which is consistent with national trends.